Civil Discourse

"We live in a climate ripe for noise: Media outlets and 24-hour news cycles mean that everyone with access to a computer has access to a megaphone to broadcast their views. Never before in human history has an opinion had the opportunity to reach so many so quickly regardless of its accuracy or appropriateness." 

-Teaching Tolerance 

What is Civil Discourse?

Engagement in discourse (conversation) intended to enhance understanding

 It’s not about learning to be exposed to a variety of perspectives in order to draw the best conclusion. It teaches young people that if they aren’t the loudest, their opinion doesn’t matter. Second, it shuts down opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Some of the best ideas that have been produced throughout human history came from people working together.”

-Danielle Wiese Leek, assistant professor in the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich

Professor Wiese is clearly speaking about the fact that in today's climate most people are concerned with that they think and feel rather than listening to others and considering a position other than their own. As I have said a COUPLE HUNDRED TIMES, "The world is not black and white, the world is very gray".  This means that there likely is not a clearly defined "right" answer. It is much more likely that the answer has a lot of "ifs", "but this could", and "in this case"-type statements involved. The two largest problems facing civil discourse is the lack of listening to understand, rather than listening to respond and too much false information being passed around as if it were factual.  The real question is, "How to we combat this?"

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Thoughts to Ponder

How do we keep a conversation about a controversial topic civil (not become a fight?)

Is it acceptable to have strong feelings?

What is a healthy way handle conversations in which we feel ourselves getting upset, or if we are scared by a topic?